Graco Heart to Heart Blog » Safetyhttp://blog.gracobaby.com
Graco corporate blogTue, 26 May 2015 15:39:23 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1“Gearing” Up for Back to Schoolhttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/12/gearing-up-for-back-to-school/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/12/gearing-up-for-back-to-school/#commentsWed, 12 Sep 2012 20:49:34 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=18048Summer’s not quite over, but many kiddos have already gone back to school. So, we’re thinking about gear that makes school activities—like carpooling—so much easier on moms and dads. Of course, the number one priority for Graco (and any parent driving children around) is safety, and a big part of keeping kids safe is using the appropriate car seat.

Here are some of our picks to help keep all the children riding with you safe:

Smart Seat

Perfect for both Little Kids AND Big KidsSmart Seat™ All-in-One Car Seat: If you’re driving both younger and older children, this seat makes transitioning from little ones to bigger kids SO easy. You’ll just install the stay-in car base one time, and then the car seat can be easily switched from rear-facing for little kids (starting at just 5 lbs.) to forward-facing for older ones (up to 65 lbs. in the harness and up to 100 lbs. as a belt-positioning booster-just remember not to use the base anymore once your child has graduated into the belt-positioning booster). This seat also features a one-hand height adjustable headrest with no-rethread harness, which makes proper fit to your carpooling child quick and easy. If you’re sharing carpool duties with another parent, consider purchasing an extra stay-in-car base for even more convenience.

Argos

Harness Up—with Ease
Argos™ 70 Car Seat: We know that sometimes carpool can be a whirlwind—filled with pickups, drop-offs and hectic mornings. So, the forward-facing only Argos—which is weight-rated for children from 20 – 70 lbs. in a harness, 30 – 100 lbs. as a best-positioning booster and from 40-120 lbs. as a backless belt-positioning booster—is a seat that will fit a lot of different sized children, making carpool a bit less chaotic. One of the best features on the Argos is the no re-thread harness (dubbed the Simply Safe Adjust™ Harness System). It’s a huge asset, because it means that when you need to adjust the fit, you don’t have to pull the harness out and re thread it from the back.

Always Keep a Spare: 2-in-1 Value
TurboBooster: Big kids may want to “graduate” out of a booster seat, but it’s important that they remain in a car seat or booster seat until they’re able to fit your vehicle’s seat belt properly (see if your child passes the Seat Belt Test: http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/car-seats-boosters-seat-belts-/booster-seats-and-seat-belt-safety-tips.html). The very cool (seriously – kids love this seat and features like hideaway cup holders!) TurboBooster® with Safety Surround ™ offers the best head and body protection at each stage. This booster seat converts from a high back booster (30-100 lbs.) to a backless booster (40-100 lbs.), and both modes help position your vehicle’s seat belt for a proper fit. The backless mode of the booster is so compact; you can keep extras as a spare in your trunk for last-minute passengers.

Here’s to riding safely—and getting to school on time!

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/12/gearing-up-for-back-to-school/feed/1Safe Baby!http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/05/safe-baby/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/05/safe-baby/#commentsWed, 05 Sep 2012 18:05:11 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=18037September is a double whammy for safety, since this month plays host to National Child Passenger Safety Month and National Baby Safety Month. Since child and baby safety is at the center of everything we do at Graco, this month is one of our favorites! To get the conversation started, here are some things to think about this (and every!) month. Feel free to add your own in the comments!

Install. Proper installation is paramount for car seats to work properly. Make sure that your seat is installed properly by referring to your instruction manual. If you’re still unsure, visit your local fire station or go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a check station near you (free in most cases!).

Crawl. A great way to see what your child sees is to get down on your knees and crawl around the house. You’ll be looking at the world from baby’s vantage point, so you might find some things that you need to remove to “baby proof” your home.

Survey. It’s important to take a look in the yard every time your children go outside to play. Make sure there’s no lawn equipment left out that could harm them.

Eat Together. Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating—they still need to be supervised. Plus, eating together is fun!

Little Savers. Getting a piggy bank is a great way to teach children about saving and to make sure that coins that might otherwise end up on the floor or in seat cushions (for little ones to find) end up safely away from little mouths.

Stay tuned to our Heart to Heart blog for more safety-related posts this month. What are some of your best tips for keeping your little ones safe?

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/09/05/safe-baby/feed/0Big Announcement: ALL Size4Me™ 70 Car Seats Have Extended Height Limitshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/08/15/big-announcement-all-size4me-70-car-seats-have-extended-height-limits/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/08/15/big-announcement-all-size4me-70-car-seats-have-extended-height-limits/#commentsWed, 15 Aug 2012 20:32:30 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=17920Graco is committed to keeping children as safe as possible, creating products that meet or exceed the safety standards laid out by the most respected organizations around, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Even after we release a product, we continue testing it to improve the instructions we give parents about how to use it to keep their child in optimum safety. And, we really listen to our community of moms and dads and the vast car seat advocate community when they give us feedback.

With all of that in mind, Graco is announcing that we are eliminating the 40” upper limit in rear-facing mode on the Size4Me™ 70 convertible car seat. The new height limit is that the top of your child’s head must be at least 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when the seat is in rear-facing mode. This change in height limit applies to ALL Size4Me™ 70 seats, regardless of when they were purchased.

We’re already getting terrific feedback (and lots of excitement!) about this announcement from the car seat advocate community and from parents across the country. We know you’ll probably have some questions, so below are common questions and the answers from our Graco car seat engineers.

Happy (safe!) riding!

What are the rear facing limits for the Size4Me™ 70 Seat?

Based on continuing child fit studies, Graco is changing the rear facing height limit for the Size4Me™ 70 car seat. The rear facing weight limit will remain unchanged at 40lb. We are updating the height restriction to eliminate the 40” upper limit. The new rear facing limits will be:

The Size4Me™ 70 CRS is certified for use rear facing with children up to 40lbs. (18Kg). Some children approaching 40lbs. may be too tall to fit rear facing. It is important that the top of the child’s head must be at least 1” (2.54 cm) below the bottom of the red head support actuator when using the seat rear facing. The head support may be placed in any of the adjustment positions provided that the shoulder harness is positioned at or below the child’s shoulders and there is no interference with the front vehicle seats.

These new limits were established to support allow the longest rear facing usage aligned with the new American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines (In April 2011 – the AAP advised parents to keep their toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat) while also allowing for proper vehicle fit and to avoid interactions between the adjustable head support and front vehicle seats. The new limits take into account the significant variation in vehicle rear seats as well as differences that exist in seated child height versus standing height.

This change is retroactive for all Size4Me™ 70 seats.

What head support positions are allowed in rear facing mode?

There are no restrictions on the head support for rear facing mode. All positions may be utilized. Based on our fit studies and the height and weight limits, most children will outgrow the rear facing mode by height and weight in head support positions 4-6. Since the head support also controls the harness positions, it is important to adjust the head support so that the harness position is at or just below the child’s shoulders in rear facing mode.

Does the 1” rule for the top of the child’s head in rear facing mode apply to the Size4Me 70?

Due to the design of the Size4Me™ 70, the traditional 1” rule does not apply. This rule was modified to measure the 1” distance from the bottom of the red head support actuator rather than the top of the seat shell. The top of the child’s head must be 1” below the bottom of the red head support actuator when used rear facing.

Can the Head Support contact the back of the vehicle seat in rear facing mode?

It is OK for the back of the Size4Me™ head support to touch the back of the vehicle seat when installed rear facing providing the following:

1) The contact does not interfere with the proper installation of the CRS

2) There is no interference that would create pressure or force on the car seat from the back of the front vehicle seat that would cause the car seat to move or change recline angle.

3) The car seat can be properly leveled and attached to the vehicle seat.

4) The child’s shoulders are appropriately positioned at or below the harness position set by the head support.

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/08/15/big-announcement-all-size4me-70-car-seats-have-extended-height-limits/feed/12Graco Gives Back on Child Safety Dayhttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/02/20/graco-gives-back-on-child-safety-day/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/02/20/graco-gives-back-on-child-safety-day/#commentsMon, 20 Feb 2012 17:27:58 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=16755This post was written by our newest Graco blog contributor, Anne Wallace. The HR Generalist for Graco, Anne is carefully juggling a full-time career, a husband and one VERY active little toddler and loving the journey along the way.

Looking at the photos from our most recent community service event, you might not know that Saturday the 11th was the coldest (and windiest!) day of the year and this comes after just days after I wore flip flops and a t-shirt – in January! Instead, in these pictures you’ll see our team of volunteers hard at work and our community members who we were able to happily serve that day — along with their appreciative smiles.

Last weekend, a team of 40 Graco volunteers partnered with K.I.D.S (Kids In Distressed Situations) and Caring for Others here in Atlanta to donate 500 products to individual families and agencies all around Georgia who are in need of life’s basic necessities and the gear that keeps their children safe. In addition to helping provide community members in need with products, a team of Graco’s Child Passenger Safety Technicians, joined by the Atlanta Police and Fire Department, helped to properly install and buckle in each child that was provided with a car seat. It was a tremendous event!

Graco’s General Manager, Laurel Hurd, participated in the event and had this to say: “K.I.D.S and Caring for Others are such incredible organizations, and we’re proud to be a part of the great work that they do. Child safety is our top priority, so it was a natural fit to get involved with Child Safety Day. We hope the new strollers and car seats will help make it a little easier for these families to care for their children each day.”

Graco strives to continually touch the lives of children and families and believes that every family deserves to have access to safe children’s products. I was so proud to be a part of the team – the way they rallied, worked, and CARED. Personally, it was a welcome reminder of one of the reasons I was so excited to join this business back in September. This is a team of people, no matter what their job is within the company, who have passion for others. All of these people work really (really!) hard during the week, and for them to give up their free time on the weekend to volunteer was truly humbling. I can’t wait to see what else we can and will do…

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2012/02/20/graco-gives-back-on-child-safety-day/feed/2Car Seat Tips: Taking a Car Seat on an Airplanehttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/11/21/car-seat-tips-taking-a-car-seat-on-an-airplane/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/11/21/car-seat-tips-taking-a-car-seat-on-an-airplane/#commentsMon, 21 Nov 2011 15:14:56 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=14430The holidays are upon us, and with Thanksgiving here this week, we know a lot of you will be on the road (or in the sky). Whether you’re taking a plane, train or automobile, there are always some steps you can take to make sure your little one is safely taking the journey with you.

If you’re flying, here are a few tips on how to more easily take your car seat along:

- It is highly recommended that all passengers should be buckled into their own seat for safety – regardless of age – just like riding in a car.

- Before you go, confirm that your car seat is approved to fly. You can find a note that says “certified for aircraft use” (FAA Approved) directly on most car seats if they are approved, or in your instruction manual.

- Keep in mind, some convertible car seats (depending on size) and all belt-positioning booster seats are NOT approved for airplane use.

- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a car seat. The FAA recommends that a child weighing:
- Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing car seat
- From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing car seat
- More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt

- Next, confirm your car seat will fit on the plane. Measure the car seat base and length to ensure it will fit in aircraft rows and seat. Contact airlines about specific aircraft or use seatguru.com for dimensions. According to the FAA, a car seat should fit in most airplane seats if it is no wider than 16 inches.

- Reserve the window seat for your car seat. Avoid Exit Rows and the row in front of, or behind the Exit Row (where car seats are not allowed).

- Use your stroller or a car seat transporter to help you more easily carry the car seat through the airport.

- Strategize in advance on how to carry all of your belongings, your car seat, and your child from the jet way to the airplane seat after gate-checking your stroller. It might not seem like a long distance, but it can still cause a challenge! (Backpacks, quality-versus quantity packing, delegating, etc. can help).

- Board early when possible to install your car seat and get the family situated before the chaos of general boarding.

- Consider other passengers. Offer empathy and kindness (earplugs and chocolate?) for passenger unable to recline the seat ahead of yours because of the car seat position.

- Take-off, landing, and turbulence are not safe times to breastfeed. Use a bottle to help with ear pressure and keep your infant safely restrained in their car seat whenever possible.

- Give kids a break from the car seat while you’re in the airport. Allow them to stretch, walk, or be held before boarding the flight so they aren’t as anxious to get out of the seat once they are on the plane.

If you’re looking for additional information on how to travel with a car seat, check out the following sites:
- Importance of buckling up infants: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/lap-child-policy
- Considerations for flying with car seat: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/faa-approved-car-seat-restraint-considerations
- FAA sticker: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/infant-toddler-car-seat-faa-approval
- Window seat: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/best-location-for-car-seats-on-airplanes
- Empathy & chocolate for others: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/chocolate-for-airline-employees-is-it-a-bribe

Happy Thanksgiving and safest travels to you!

Thanks to Travel Comfort Specialist, Anya Clowers, RN, from www.JetWithKids.com for this post!

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/11/21/car-seat-tips-taking-a-car-seat-on-an-airplane/feed/3Which Car Seat is Right for Your Child?http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/29/which-car-seat-is-right-for-your-child/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/29/which-car-seat-is-right-for-your-child/#commentsThu, 29 Sep 2011 20:51:58 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=15423Finding the right car seat for your child depends on many different factors – height, weight, age and even your child’s maturity. If you’re not sure which seat is the right one for your child, the American Academy of Pediatrics has a comprehensive guide to help you choose, plus a long list of helpful FAQs. Here’s a quick guide from www.aap.org:

Have car seat questions? Feel free to ask them here and we’ll do our best to answer them!

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/29/which-car-seat-is-right-for-your-child/feed/5Ride Safe, Every Timehttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/21/ride-safe-every-time/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/21/ride-safe-every-time/#commentsWed, 21 Sep 2011 10:33:45 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=9294September is National Baby Safety Month. Plus, this week (September 18th – 24th) is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Child Passenger Safety Week and Saturday, September 24th is National Seat Check Saturday. Take the opportunity to have a certified technician inspect and verify – free of charge – your child’s car seat installation. Click here for more information and to find an inspection station near you.

Here are a few must-remember tips for keeping your most precious cargo safe:

1. Backseat Is Best. The back seat is generally the safest place for your child in the event of a crash. If your vehicle has a passenger side airbag, it’s critical that children age 12 and under ride in the backseat.

3. Keep Them Harnessed. Use a car seat with a 5-point harness restraint until your child reaches the upper weight or height limit for your seat. There are plenty of options for seats that allow your child to remain harnessed beyond the minimum “4-years-and-40-pounds” guideline. The Graco My Ride 65, the Graco Smart Seat and the Graco Nautilus will allow your child to remain in a forward-facing harnessed car seat up to 65 pounds.

4. 4’9″ Is The Magic Number (and between the ages of 8-12). Most adult lap and shoulder belt systems will not fit most children until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh about 80 pounds. Until then, keep your child sitting in a belt-positioning booster seat. The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 in backless belt-positioning booster mode, and the Graco TurboBooster will allow your child to remain in a booster up to 100 pounds. The Argos 70 backless belt-positioning booster mode will hold a child up to 120 lbs.

In addition to these four essential tips, it’s also important to remember that safe car seat usage includes the following:

- Make sure your seat is correctly installed.

- Your seat may need to be periodically adjusted by tightening the LATCH or seat belt mechanism in order to maintain proper installation.

- Ensure that the harness is buckled snugly around your child with the chest clip at armpit level.

- Adjust harness strap level periodically to insure the correct fit.

Use these tips to ensure that your child is riding safely at all times. Car seat usage isn’t an option, it’s the law, so remember to use your car seat for each and every trip, properly securing baby in his seat, even if you are just going a minute down the street.

If you have other car seat safety questions, please ask them here!

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/09/21/ride-safe-every-time/feed/1Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/07/01/have-a-safe-and-happy-4th-of-july/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/07/01/have-a-safe-and-happy-4th-of-july/#commentsFri, 01 Jul 2011 19:21:44 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/07/01/have-a-safe-and-happy-4th-of-july/BBQ, sunshine and in some cases, fireworks are all a part of a traditional 4th of July celebration in the US. It’s such a fun summer holiday but if you’re setting off your own fireworks display this year, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has a few tips to make sure your holiday is as safe as possible!

- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Some parents don’t realize that young children can suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

You can find these tips and others at http://www.cpsc.gov/info/fireworks/index.html.

]]>http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/07/01/have-a-safe-and-happy-4th-of-july/feed/0Smart Seat Photoshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/03/18/smart-seat-photos/
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2011/03/18/smart-seat-photos/#commentsFri, 18 Mar 2011 16:56:50 +0000Graco Contributorshttp://blog.gracobaby.com/?p=11965Over the last month a number of our consumers have asked to see how Smart Seat looks in use. We have been listening and have provided pictures below of a Smart Seat in different positions with children of the correct ages (Courtesy of Car Seat Blog). Take a look at the pictures and let us know if you still have any questions.

Well, along with being oh-so-convenient and cute, your stroller also has a number of safety features built into its design.

So, we at Graco wanted to share a few simple safety tips to keep in mind while you’re on the go:

- Avoid risk of serious injuries from your child falling or sliding out of a stroller by always using the harness system. After fastening the buckles, adjust the harness to get a snug fit around your child. We recommend using a harness every single time, even if you’re not in motion!

- Never leave a child unattended in a stroller; always keep your child in view.

- As with any product, carefully read the entire instruction manual before use.

- When transporting an infant who is fully reclined, make sure to use the bassinet enclosure feature.

- Never use a stroller on stairs or escalators. Use extra care when going up or down a step or curb. Always use an elevator or ramp, when available.

- To prevent a stroller from tipping, do not place articles such as purses, shopping bags, parcels or accessories, over the handles.

- From time to time check your stroller for loose screws, worn parts, torn material or stitching, and replace or repair the parts as needed. Make sure to discontinue using your stroller should it become damaged or broken.

- To help avoid burn injuries, never place hot liquids on the parent’s tray.

- Never attach toys or other objects with strings on the stroller that could be a strangulation hazard for your child.

Have other stroller safety questions? Ask them here and we’ll do our best to answer them. Safe Strolling!